Tricascadeinc VOS 5G review | TechRadar
Tricascadeinc VOS 5G: 30-Second Review
Specification
platform: Qualcomm SDX55
aspect: 8.74 x 3.89 x 2.11 mm (3.44 x 1.53 x 0.83 inches)
weight: 68 g (0.15 lb)
Power and input/output: USB Type-C, Nano-SIM, 2 LED indicators
Power consumption: Normal 7W, maximum 10W
The VOS 5G is a compact network adapter that uses a network SIM card to connect to cellular networks in the same way as a mobile phone. However, its sole purpose is to provide a super-fast data connection to any device that supports networking via a USB port, not to make phone calls.
The design is simple, with the little box acting more like a compact SSD than a network adapter. The design is sleek with sleek lines but very minimalistic, with a Nano SIM slot and USB Type-C port on one end and a vent on the other. There is initially little else besides the logo graphic and model information printed on the case.
Setup is simple: Just pop the Nano SIM card into the slot, plug it in via USB Type-C and it’s ready to go; as long as your device supports USB networking then everything should work fine. Once set up, your laptop or other device will be online almost instantly, network coverage permitting.
The adapter is small and easy to use and carry. Once connected, you get the same speeds as your cellular network, but with a slight speed advantage since you’re connected directly rather than through a hotspot. Overall speeds are impressive and proved much more powerful during testing than when connected to a mobile device.
In addition to the connection speed, the fact that the small device draws power from the connected device (in this case, the laptop) means you can preserve your phone’s battery power, although it does increase the laptop’s power consumption. After extended use, the adapter provides a more reliable connection than the iPhone 15 Pro. Additionally, you can sign a separate contract for VOS 5G, making business billing management easier.
Overall, if you need a network connection away from your home or office and don’t want to use public Wi-Fi, and you value the security of a private connection or just find yourself in a situation where there’s no Wi-Fi at all, this is the way to go. An excellent choice.
Tricascadeinc VOS 5G: Pricing and Availability
VOS 5G can be purchased through Amazon or directly from the official website, click here. It currently retails for $200/£261.
Tricascadeinc VOS 5G: Design and Build
The design of the VOS 5G is very simple, as is the operation of the device. In terms of look and style, it’s very similar to many portable SSDs, with a stylish matte black finish and logo and device details printed on the case. The dongle’s main body measures 8.74 x 3.89 x 2.11 mm and weighs 68 grams, so it adds virtually no weight or bulk to your bag.
Additionally, a short USB Type-C cable is included in the box for connecting to the device you want to connect to the internet.
On one end is a small Nano SIM card slot, which requires a paid cellular SIM card to connect. Next to it is a USB Type-C port, complete with a short cable that allows you to connect the dongle directly to your laptop or any other device that supports USB networking. At the other end is a large grill that provides ample airflow to the unit to help keep it cool under load.
Once everything is set up, you can plug the cable into your laptop. For this review, the dongle was tested with a MacBook Pro M1 Max and an ASUS ProArt P16. Once connected, the red light on the connector end flashes, indicating power and data connection. Once the cellular network is connected, the light will turn green, indicating that you are ready to access the Internet.
Tricascadeinc VOS 5G: Features
The VOS 5G’s feature list is pretty neat – essentially, it’s a 5G cellular adapter with one port and a SIM slot. It’s just as easy to use: plug it in and get started.
Looking closely at its characteristics, under ideal conditions for a full 5G data connection, transmission rates can reach up to 2.5 Gbps. This performance is comparable to most standard wired network connections. Connect to the VOS 5G via 5G cellular and then to your laptop or connected device via a USB Type-C 3.1 connection.
While network connectivity is a great feature, it also offers better security than using public Wi-Fi or tethering through your phone’s local hotspot. Since this is a direct connection to the device, it acts as an SSID (Service Set Identifier), which means the connection is not broadcast, eliminating the risk of someone hacking into your Wi-Fi, which is tethering in a public place Frequently asked questions.
A 5G T-Mobile SIM card is included in the box to get you started and guarantees super-fast connections. Alternatively, if you have a contract with another network provider, you can use that contract to provide flexibility in the network you choose to connect to. Since the dongle uses a USB Type-C interface, it is fully compatible with Windows 10/11, macOS, Linux and iOS devices.
Internally, powering the adapter is a Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF, which provides support for the full 5G spectrum system. Last but not least, the dongle is powered via the same USB Type-C port used to transfer data. In standard usage, power consumption is around 7 W, while for streaming and more demanding online activities, the power consumption increases to around 10 W.
Tricascadeinc VOS 5G: Performance
Initial setup of the VOS 5G is very simple. Essentially, to get you started, a T-Mobile 5G SIM card is included in the box, along with instructions on how to activate it and choose a data plan. If you are in the United States, you can simply sign up and sign up to take advantage of this offer. Elsewhere, you can buy a SIM card that suits your location and choose a data plan that suits your needs. For this review, we chose Vodafone’s 70GB data plan, which costs £15 per month.
Once the SIM card is in place (a standard Nano SIM card), you simply plug the dongle into any compatible device. This includes macOS, Windows 10/11, or Linux devices capable of accepting network connections via USB Type-C.
Once plugged in, there’s nothing else to do—no software, no drivers, and no complexity. The dongle sits neatly on the table and could be mistaken for a portable SSD at first glance. Once connected, the red LED flashes to indicate power and turns green once the device has found and connected to the signal. It’s a simple setup that works seamlessly.
Design and usability are tailored for simplicity, with no screens, apps or software. It just does its job efficiently. If you’re looking for more advanced features, devices like the Netgear Nighthawk offer screens and other settings that allow you to monitor your connection. However, VOS 5G only focuses on connectivity and no distractions.
One limitation of this simplicity is the lack of information about the type or strength of the connection. You have no way of knowing from the device itself whether you are using a 3G, 4G or 5G connection or the signal strength. To check these details, you will need to use another device, such as a mobile phone. In this test, the Vodafone SIM card in the phone is used to compare connection speed and reliability.
Overall, the connection was stable, and download speeds were surprisingly fast when there was a 5G signal. The adapter offers comparable transfer rates, often with a slight advantage, compared to connecting to the same machine via an iPhone 15 Pro. It is worth noting that this dongle provides a more reliable connection in different environments and avoids the occasional drop-out when connecting to the network through the iPhone.
Another significant advantage of using a dongle instead of tethering is the impact on your phone’s battery life. While tethering typically drains a phone’s battery quickly (usually around mid-afternoon), the phone still maintains a full day of power when using the dongle.
On the other hand, the power consumption of the dongle does affect the battery life of the laptop. Battery life typically lasts about 6 hours when using the MacBook Pro M1 Max for word processing and general tasks. After connecting the dongle, the time was reduced by about 40%, lasting four hours. To mitigate this, it’s worth carrying a power bank, such as the UGREEN 145W, to keep your laptop charged.
Should you buy Tricascadeinc VOS 5G?
Overall, while the dongle’s actual transfer speeds are comparable to those of tethered phones and hotspots, the dongle’s reliability makes it a better choice for working online away from your home or office. Connection reliability is a major advantage, and the dongle also helps extend your phone’s battery life. However, it’s worth noting that the dongle does significantly drain your laptop’s battery, so if you plan on working outside the office all day, it’s recommended to bring a power bank with you.
A few other standout aspects of VOS 5G include the use of SSID, which essentially ensures that your internet connection remains completely private. This eliminates vulnerabilities that can arise when creating a hotspot from your phone in a public place. Additionally, being able to use a separate SIM card within your own contract (rather than a mobile phone connection) means it can complement a business contract, which only adds to the ease and neatness of professional use.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Row 0 – Cell 1 | Row 0 – Cell 2 |
| value | 5G adapters aren’t cheap, and while they’re pricey for a simple box, all things considered, they’re reasonably priced | 4.5 |
| design | Simple, streamlined, portable and easy to use | 5 |
| feature | Minimalist design and focused functionality mean it’s perfect for its core purpose | 4.5 |
| Performance | Fast and reliable connection speeds, unfortunately you can’t check the signal strength | 4 |
| all | Great value for money and an ideal choice if you don’t mind not being able to monitor anything. | 4.5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
For more connectivity hardware, we reviewed best wireless adapter You can get it.
